Beyond the Agenda: Elevating Board Retreats to Shape University Strategy

As a strategy professor, I often debate with colleagues about the single most critical function in achieving organizational success. Of course, any answer is strategy, but only when done well. In a similar vein, one of the most important elements of strategy is the strategic retreat, when done well. This article explores strategic leadership retreats in higher education, highlighting common challenges and offering practical tips for success. A practical checklist to ensure efficient, impactful retreats is my RETREAT framework: Reflection, Engagement, Teamwork, Resolution, Evaluation, Accountability, and Transformation. Although the focus is on board retreats, the same principles apply to campus senior leadership retreats. Illustrate the overarching framework through the story of a strategic board retreat at Washburn University.